Welcome to Autumn 2009

I hope your summer was refreshing and rewarding for you and all those whom you love, live, work and serve with. Here we are at Labor Day. Time to put away the white gloves, linen sports coats - and soon the shorts.

As we make this transition into Sanctuary's 5th year as a church in Greenwood, I am delighted to say that we are having a very fruitful time in this community at the church and at the Green Bean. I thank God for the many blessings.

This Fall, we are going to work on leveraging our blessedness by deepening our life with Jesus Christ, with each other and with Greenwood. Our Messages this year will focus on what it means to be a serious follower of Jesus Christ - in love with God, growing in our sense of self and our giftedness and in LOVING the socks off of all of our neighbors. For me, this will be an important season. I continually need to ask myself, "Randy, what is your goal in life?" And, "What are you doing that evidences that you're moving toward that goal." I find studying about following Jesus hard and strong challenges my behaviors and reignites my heart for him. Hope the same is true for you.

Also this Fall, beginning with our Small Group kickoff BBQ at Mohrlang's on Wednesday the 9th, we are going to be forming numerous small groups for the purpose of growth, care, relationship building and serving our world. It is my dream that 100% of us at Sanctuary will be in a small group to live life "together". Maybe you feel like you don't like, need, want or desire the risk of a small group. If so, I respect that. At the same time, even if you don't need a group - others in the groups NEED YOU! Let's do this TOGETHER!

Finally, we are pushing hard to reach our community and engage at a deeper level yet this coming year. We have a Harvest Festival, Christmas Drive, Colossal-Caroling Evening and lot's of volunteer work at the Green Bean and around Greenwood in the next few months. We would love to have everyone on board. Many hands make work light - and fun. You are gifted. And your gifts are wanted and needed.

Also - hooray for our numeric growth in members at two levels: 1) by new folks choosing to be a part of us, and 2) by so many of us having babies. Small groups and a new second worship service in January will accommodate the new adults and Tammie Haulter is helping us move Children's Ministry to 312 North 85th at our offices. The room will be a great, safe and loving place to leave kiddies starting mid September.

We are on a fabulous journey together in Christ. Let's relish this season together.

Much Love,

Pastor Randy

posted by Steve-Dave @ 8:00 AM